Pokemon: Animus - Chapter 49

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As the storm abates from the night sky we wade the dozen or so yards to the resort property beach. Naomi is clutching the long neck of a crane the size of a horse while balling her eyes out.

Zapra, the legendary bird species Zapdos, is breathing somewhat heavily, her feathers horribly charred in places. However she uses her lance of a beak to fiddle with Naomi’s hair and outfit. Like a momma bird grooming her chick to be presentable to the flock.

Rangers are already on scene keeping back folks who came out to see the commotion of the plane splash down. The rest of the teams that came with us are gathering up and heading up to the hotel under Dawn and May’s guidance.

Jane is staring at the large bird’s injuries, almost in shock.

I let go of Lacy’s hand and knock on Jane’s head, “You thinking too much kid?”

Her reaction is to shiver, maybe she really is in a bit of shock, “Old man, this is… What can do this? Who would do this?!”

Looking back at Zapdos I can see areas of charred flesh where the feathers have been incinerated. For all the big girl is acting strong I imagine she’s in a great deal of pain.

“Zapdos, are you gonna let us get you to a Pokemon Center?”

Surprisingly the large animal rolls her eyes and nods before shakily standing up. Naomi almost falls to the ground but Lacy grabs her and pulls Jane along as well. We follow as Zapdos actually hobbles over towards a ranger’s truck.

The big girl flicks a gas can out of the truck bed and glares at the ranger till he climbs up and clears out enough space for her to hop in and settle down.

Looking at the man, “Let’s get to the center, I’ll drive, just get one of your buddies to lead the way.” Looking to Lacy, “I’ll have to keep Watts with me until more of her family’s security arrives. Take care of Jane and meet us at the center as soon as you can.”

She gives me another quick hug and we’re one the road, hopefully fast enough that Zapdos’ injuries can be treated with minimal complication.

Naomi is silently staring out the back window at her guardian the entire drive. Thankfully the hotel is just around the corner from a tower of a gym and connected pokemon center.

As we pull up, a team of folks in scrubs are already wheeling out a massive cart at the direction of a skinny gal with a blonde pixie cut.

Naomi clutches my arm the moment we hop out of the truck. Zapdos glares down any center staff that gets too close as she slowly steps from the truck and then onto the cart. Then, deciding they’re hesitating too much, she bristles her feathers and sends some sparks everywhere.

“Move your ȧsses and get her inside!” Boss Blondi glares down at Naomi, “Wattson, this is what blind faith gets you. Your family’s guardian is still a child as far as Legendaries go, she needs training.”

Watts just pouts.

Can’t have that, I elbow her, “The doc needs to know details, kid.”

Naomi looks to literally swallow her emotions in order to respond but the doctor cuts her off with a snort.

“Rangers sent me the radio recording,” She pauses at seeing Naomi’s knuckles still clenched, “Naomi.”

Young and old, blonde hair, green eyes meet.

The doctor squats down, “Zapra will be just fine, even if she’s doing a Mandibuzz impression for a week till her new feathers grow in.”

Naomi just nods but her back straightens a little. Seems the doctor isn’t all bristle.

Standing back up the doctor turns to me, “Take her inside and follow the staff at a distance, Zapdos will cooperate better as long as the Wattson girl is in sight.”

Heading inside I realize this is probably the largest Pokemon Center I’ve seen yet. Six stories were visible from outside and the lobby is filled with green plants covering live walls and vines wrapping pillars. Dozens of curious trainers and their pokemon watch the legendary bird being carted in.

Doors are held open and we’re led to an operating theater that overlooks a table clearly large enough to accommodate a pokemon of Zapdos’ size. More professionals file into the seats while keeping a respectable distance from us.

Except one, a woman with Lilac hair in a long braid with matching eyes sits down next to Naomi, opposite me.

“Good evening Miss Wattson, do you remember me?”

Naomi doesn’t take her eyes off Zapdos being guided to the operating table which lowers automatically. “You were the GP agent my mother thought was having an affair with daddy.”

Cough, “Excuse me?!”

The woman doesn’t even react, “That’s right. I need you to relax and answer some questions along with Mr. Kurt here… I’m sure Director Lillie will take perfect care of your Zapdos.”

Zapdos gives a warning spark at the nurse asking if they’d be using anesthesia.

I can’t help but ask, “Drama aside, I don’t know who you are. So before you continue with Naomi, I’d appreciate an introduction.”

Those pale, purple eyes switch to me like I’m a firing range target, “I’m Region Chief Anabel of the Global Police. You, Mr. Kurt, will have to answer some questions later.”

She turns to watch as Director Lillie dons thick rubber gloves, boots, and apron. It’s practically a hazmat suit made of rubber.

“We at the Global Police and our partners at Aether are suddenly finding your memory loss claims quite full of holes.” Her gaze returns to me, “Especially after successfully piloting a one of a kind, prototype aircraft. That brings us back to the priority issue. What can you tell me about the attack?”

Director Lillie is now showing Zapdos a set of tweezers that look more like tree trimmers.

Trying to set the order of events straight in my head, “Two impacts on the left side, the first was strong but the second had those blue flames.”

Large hammer drills are brought out as what looks like the maintenance crew installs large copper rods around the room.

“The left engine was wrecked, luggage came loose in the main cabin, Zapdos tackled the Charizard away.”

Anabel lifts a hand to stop me, “Were you able to see the rider at any point?”

“Not exactly,” she motions me to continue, “As Zapdos’ storm increased, the electrical equipment all started to malfunction.”

Naomi interrupts, “That shouldn’t have happened. The Zekrom’s… walls? are all completely shielded against anything she’s been able to output before.”

The cop makes a note on her phone, “We’ll have the entire plane inspected and the engineers back in Hoenn questioned. What happened next?”

Below, Zapra is staring Lillie down as she grabs the first damaged feather and fearlessly gives a strong yank. Naomi’s nails dig into my arm as she flinches. However Zapdos just snorts but otherwise keeps glaring as the doctor continues to the next feather.

“The copilot started to panic, the pilot was about to set him straight when the Charizard punched through her side window. Poor gal was probably only saved by her headset. I took a swipe at the thing’s arm but that just pissed it off I think. Heard some guy outside tell it to use Dragon Breath while I was cutting loose the Pilot.”

“So no visual at all, was her emergency release inoperable?”

Did she even have an emergency release? “If she had one I didn’t see it. Zapdos came to the rescue again, the copilot lost his wits entirely.”

“So you ȧssumed control? I doubt he just let you.”

“Let’s say he was, Aggressively Counterproductive,” I’m so not making eye contact, “I got us steady, my fiancé, Doctor Lacy Cutter, saw to the pilot’s condition.”

Watt’s nails dig in again with another pluck of burnt feather, “Rachel will be fine right? That was a lot of blood.”

“Naomi,” Anabel’s tone softens, “Tapu Lele heals all wounds, she’ll be just fine.”

“My Joltik absorbed the excess static messing with the instruments and with engine one back online we had power to land. Charizard kept evading in the darkness of the night. That Tapu pokemon showed up saying we ruined her evening plans?”

“And since this island doesn’t have a landing strip she dropped you on the beach.” The cop jumps to the end.

More sparks fly down below as the procedure continues.

Taking in what I’ve learned about this world so far, “I can’t imagine a black Charizard spewing blue flames goes unknown, especially if it has a trainer, and even more so on a small island region. Hell, all of Hoenn knew I had a giant bat by the next evening.”

“Of course we have an obvious suspect,” she shakes her head, “But on record confirmation would have been useful. He’s got a hide out somewhere here on Akala but we haven’t been able to track it down.”

For an instant, I almost say I’ll help, but no. That ȧsshole wrecked a Zapdos… worst I can do is have Blue steal his shoes and make him trip.

Seems she saw the look I had, “Don’t sweat it Kurt, I have a feeling we’ll be receiving some very strong volunteers as soon as they can get here from Kanto.”

Right, the Royals were on that bird.

Once Lillie cleared a burnt area of damaged feathers she layered on what is likely the largest glob of burn ointment I could imagine.

Thinking about it, couldn’t Lele have healed Zapdos as well? Talk about petty.

“This suspect got a name?”

“Not telling,” she stands up, “Alola has a complicated history with a subject not unrelated to yourself Kurt. I’ll have more questions for you once this incident is under control.”

Way to play the ‘mysterious investigator’ lady.

Regional Chief Anabel leaves us to watch the procedure. Twenty minutes later Lacy and Jane show up. It’s another hour before a nurse brings us down to talk to the big bird.

Lillie looks between us and Zapdos, “We’re done here, now we just need the girl to relax for a few days. Agitating the burns might cause her to get infections and then she’ll lose even more feathers.”

Zapdos looks offended but Naomi soothes her by rubbing her cheek.

The Doctor starts removing all the rubber gear, “That’s right, unless you wanna look like a plucked dinner, you need to stay here. We’ll close off a section of the lobby atrium for you to roost.”

Maybe this gal can give me a straight answer, “Know anyone with a Black Charizard?”

“Azure Charizard,” she frowns, “Regular Charizards can be black in color. You were attacked by the dragon, mega variant. But yes, the rumored boss of what’s left of Team Ultra Flare has one.”

“No name?” Not that ‘Ultra Flare’ isn’t already too anime.

“We don’t usually use their names out of respect for…” Her green eyes roll, “Fuck it, the jackass is named Alain. Since you seem confused, Alola has wormholes to alternate realities or timelines.”

The shit?!

“Normally,” she continues, “Nothing happens, they come in any size or duration, maybe a weird pokemon sneaks in. Occasionally something worse. The Alain of this world died a few years back anyway so he won’t be able to voice an objection.”

Right so evil twin stuff, “You seem pretty riled up, Director.”

If looks could kill I’d be ducking for cover behind the Zapdos right now.

Director Lillie just storms off.

Naomi from behind me speaks up, “I’m pretty sure she had an older brother. Criminals don’t fight like it’s just another trainer battle.”

Well… “Let’s go,” looking at the electrical hazard version of a sesame street character, “We’ll get Zapra somewhere quiet like the director said then get back to the hotel. I’m sure everyone else is still riled up.”

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